Red Sorghum Analysis

Sound and Imagery in Red Sorghum
Sound and imagery are important elements of communication as they present the producers ' perspective in the film and communicate the cultural practices and beliefs of a society. In the film Red Sorghum, aural qualities and imagery are extensively used in the narration of the storyline. Through sound and imagery, different themes like freedom and passion are powerfully introduced in the film. Also, sound and imagery clearly indicate that Zhang Yimou, the author, is a visual sensualist. In this paper, an in-depth analysis of the extensive use of sound and imagery to communicate the cultural issues of the Chinese society in Red Sorghum is presented.
At the start of the film, the mythical atmosphere and vibrant mood are established, and the themes of freedom and passion are presented through powerful music and imagery. In a deserted setting, a wedding song is heard; it grows louder as distance shortens. A group of shirtless men appear carrying a …show more content…
As the films winds up, the distillery workers chant the God of Wine song as they vow to avenge the death of Luohan. The distillery workers believe that when they drink wine in the memory of Luohan, they are invoking the valor of heroes to ensure that justice has been restored. Also, the last scene of Red Sorghum collects all the mythical power of the film 's themes. The red landscape symbolizes the unforgettable image of the solar eclipse and reflects the aggression towards Japanese. Besides, it also reminds the viewers of the passion, love of life, and the spiritual freedom of the characters. Lastly, Douguan chanting the children 's rhyme to send her beloved mother 's soul to the next world is a reminder that heroes don 't die, but they are become immortal so that their legacy, boldness, lives of passion and freedom are emulated and recounted by the